Advocacy Letters/Comments
OMB Control Number 1615-0052, comments to USCIS proposed N-400, Docket ID 2008-0025
CLINIC and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) have shared comments with USCIS concerning proposed changes to N-400, Application for Naturalization, and accompanying instructions.
CLINIC Comments on Age-out Protections for U Visa Derivatives
On January 10, 2013, CLINIC shared comments on USCIS’s policy memo, “Age-Out Protection for Derivative U Nonimmigrant Status Holders: Pending Petitions, Initial Approvals, and Extension of Status.” CLINIC welcomes the issuance of the guidance, as this policy will provide much needed security for the immigrant crime victims and their families that CLINIC members serve. We are encouraged by USCIS’ statement that the preservation of family unity is a benefit to law enforcement. The policy provides important protections for U visa derivatives who age out after the approval of
CLINIC Comments on Employment Eligibility for VAWA Beneficiaries
On January 10, 2013, CLINIC shared comments with USCIS on its guidance entitled “Eligibility for Employment Authorization upon Approval of a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Self- Petition; and, Eligibility for Employment Authorization for Battered Spouses of Certain Nonimmigrants.” CLINIC’s comments addressed concerns regarding the employment authorization process for approved VAWA beneficiaries, as well as the eligibility for employment authorization for battered spouses of A, E (iii), G, and H nonimmigrants. To read the full comments,
On December 31, 2012, CLINIC, the American Immigration Council, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association responded to USCIS’s Notice of Revisions to Form I-131, Application for Travel Document.
CLINIC Comments on USCIS Revisions to Form I-131, Application for Travel Document
Comments on the Department of Health and Human Services' DACA/Lawfully Present Amendment
On October 23, 2012, CLINIC and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops submitted comments to the Department of Health and Human Services in response to the Department’s amendment of the definition of the term “lawfully present.” The amendment will prevent those granted deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program from accessing affordable health insurance coverage options. Excluding DACA recipients from this program is inequitable and undercuts the spirit of the Administration’s DACA policy.
Support for Integration Grant Funding
CLINIC and other organizations that help permanent residents naturalize and that promote the integration of newcomers sent the attached letter to Representative Nancy Pelosi, urging her to support appropriations funding for the U.S. Citizenship and Integration Grants Program. Since the program began in October 2009, USCIS’s Program has helped more than 38,000 permanent residents in 30 states and the District of Columbia prepare for citizenship. Twenty-six percent of the 2012 grantees are CLINIC affiliates.
Support for the Help Separated Families Act of 2012
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) signed onto this letter July 23, 2012 urging members of Congress to support the Help Separated Families Act, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA-34). The bill aims to improve the likelihood that children placed in the child welfare system as a result of immigration enforcement actions against their parents can ultimately reunify with their parents.
Comments on Provisional Unlawful Presence Waivers of Inadmissibility for Certain Immediate Relatives
On January 9, 2012, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced its intention to change its current process for filing and adjudicating certain applications for waivers of inadmissibility filed in connection with an immediate relative immigrant petition. On April 2, 2012, the agency issued proposed regulations to allow certain applicants to apply for and receive a provisional unlawful presence waiver prior to departing the U.S.
Comments Regarding Proposed Changes to Regulations Governing Recognition and Accreditation
The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) submitted these comments on March 30, 2012 in response to the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s (EOIR) proposal to amend the regulations governing the recognition of organizations and accreditation of representatives who appear before EOIR.
Religious Worker Visa Program Sign On Letter
CLINIC and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops joined other faith-based organizations in asking Congress to permanently extend the Religious Worker Visa Program. See the letter here.
